Railway-traffic-controlling apparatus



March 2,1926. 1,575,397

R. P. TUTTLE RAILWAYv TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 28, 1924 Patented Mai. 2, 1926.

U'NlTED STATES N-PAriazuT OFFICE.

RALPH r. TUTTLE, or EDGEWOOD BOROUGH, PENNSYLVANIA, AssrGNoR rro Tim UNioN SWITCH a SIGNAL COMPANY, 0F sWIssvALE, rNNNSYLvANIA, A core` PVORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

RAILWAYTRAFFIC-CONTROLLIG APPARATUS.

Application filed January 28, 1924. Serial No. 688,917.

To all 107mm if mfrf/ Concern.'

Ie it known that I, RALPH I. Turrini, a citizen ot the United States, residing at Edgewood Borough, in the county of'Alleglieny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railwayflraiiic-Controlling Apparatus, ot which the following is a specitication.

My invention relates to railway trailic controlling apparatus, and particularly to apparatus of the type comprising train carried governing means controlled by energy received 'from' the trackway. More particularly, my invention relates to the `trackway portion ot such apparatus.

I will describe two forms of trackway apparatus embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel` features thereof in claims. f

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. l is a diagrammatic view showing one form of trackway `appara-tus embodying my inven` tion. Fig. 2 is a. .view showing a modified torni ot the apparatus illustrated in Fig. l and also embodying my invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in both views.

Referring first to Fig. l, the reference characters l and 'la designate the track rails ot a railroad over which tratlic normally moves in the direction indicatedby the arrow. These rails are divided, by means of insulated joints 2, into av plurality oit suc? cessive sections such as D-E. A track relay here designated by the reference char` acter R with an exponent corresponding to the location, is connected across the rails adiacent the lett hand of each track section. 13`' 1.1.1 t V D E ne eiiing paiticu ai y o section iclay RD is supplied with track circuit current 'from a suitable source of energy such as av track battery GF' connected across' the rails adjacent the exit end of the section.

Means are also provided for supplying section D-E with an alternating current which, for purposes of explanation, I shall term traffic controlling current. As here shown this means comprises a track transformer TE having its'secondary winding 6 connected across the rails and in series with battery Gr. The supply of energy to the primary winding ot transformer TE will lo@ eX plained in detail hereinafter.

Section .Deli is Precast iii-tenista@ section D-E in series.

its ends with a switch A leading from the inaintrack into a. side track II. Associated with switchAris `a switch circuit Controller F comprising two contacts so arranged that when the switch is normal, that is, in such position as yto permit' unrestricted traflic movements through section I)--E, contact S-Sbis openl and contact t-4t is closed.

Then switchA is in any other position, such as the reverse position wherein it per.

mits traliicl to Vmove from thermain track into the side track H or vice versa, contact 3`3b is closed and contact L -la is open.

Then switch A is normal, current iows Afrom onevt'erminal B otra suitable source oi periodic energy not shown in the drawing, through wire 9, contact 4 -4a` of circuit controller F, wire 10, front contactY 8 ot track relay RE, wire l1, and primary 7 ot transformer TE, to terminal C of said source. llhen this circuit is closed traliic controlling current is supplied to the rails of the entire lhenswitch A is reversed the contact 4 4@ is open and `current then flows from terminal B, throughV wire 9, `impedance 5, wire l0, front contact 8 oftrack relay RE,

-wire 11, and primary 7 otqtranstormer TE,

to terminal C. lVhenswitch A is reversed a low resistance shunt is. also completed across the rails l and l adjacent switch A,

this shunt path passing from rail l, through wire l2, contact vS--b of circuit controller F,and wire 13, back torail l. Then these circuits are closed it will be clear that tratic controlling current will be supplied to the rails of section DME in series between switch A and point E,`but the shunt path through contact S-Sb will limit the flow of such traffic controlling current between switch A andpoint D. f

^ Let us now suppose that a train is approaching switch 7A and lis to the right of point D. .The wheels, and axles of this train constitute a second low impedance path in multiple with the Contact 3-3". The tratiic controlling current then traversing the rails 1 and la at switch A, will divide in inverse proportion to the impedances of the two low resistance paths, and if the current traversing the rails to the right oit switch A were considerably greater than that necessary to operate the train, .carried train conloo andenes, .it-is positie ne@ attent sin s rent mightflow in rails 1 and lvd to the left of switch A, and through the wheel shunt to give a proceed indication on the train even though switch A is reversed. To prevent such an occurrence the current traversy lt will, there-fore, 'be seenthat by my inven- `tion, the current at switch `Aisso reduced that when divided between the low resistance path of conta-ct 3 3" and the rails and the wheels of the vehicle at any point to the left of switch A a stop or low speed indicationis given aboard th'e train at all vpoints between l) and A. v

"Phe trackway apparatus here illustrated may be used in connection with train carried gmierninlgr means so varranged Lthat when the train occupies a portion of track which vis being'su-pplied 'with train controlling current of given value, `a Aproceed indication is Vreceived on V,the train` but that when the sup'plyof such current isinteirupted, or when tliema'gnitude of such current is below such given value, the train receives a stop indication.

As` shown in the drawingthe track is unoccupied, relaysR and R? are energizedand switch A is normal. Under these conditions the tratlic cont-rolling,l current is of suilicient magnitude to give a proceed'indication on board a train at any point in section vD E.

I will now assume that switch A isjreversed c and `that a train is approachingsection D-E in the section to the left Dj-E. The closing,- of contact 253-31) shunts relay RD which becomes ile-energized, thus interru'pting the supply of trafiic controlling current `to the section to thesleftof point a D. At the same time the traliic controllingcurrent in that portion of section fD-E between pointl) and switch A is reduced below the 'value required to rive a proceed indication on board the train by the shunt through contact 3 3". The `train therefore Vreceives a stop indication, throughout the section to the left ofpoint D and in section D--ll as far as the switch A.

lf a 'train is4 proceeding under a proceed give a proceed indication on "the train be tween these two point-s. E i

lt Vshould be noted lthat if relay RE is deenergized, as "by the .presence of AVa ltrain .in the sectionvto the righto'f point E, the vsupply of ltraftic controlling' current 'tovqsection .Dwlil is interrupt-@Ct and in 'such the switch is Yii tion will receive a stop indication irrespective of the position of switch A.

The reasonfor reducing the electromotive force of transformer TE when the switch 4is reversed is that the effectiveness of a shunt cannot be ydepended upon alone to prevent the flow of traffic controlling current in rear of the switch. By reducing the yelectromotiveforce of the transformer, and

simultaneously closing the shunt at switch A, double vprecaution is taken to prevent a train 1n rear of the switchfrom.receiving a 'proceed indication when vthe switch is reversed. `The shunting vpath at switch A is increased in effectiveness as the voltage of A the transformer Tis reduced.

In the modification shown in Fig. 2, an insulated joint 2 is interposed in one rail la l.adjacent switch A. A shunt path in cluding'` wire l2, Contact -f" of circuit controller F and wire la is closed around this insulat-ionjoint only when switch A .is normal; Consequently, when the switch -is reversed, the rails in the rearfof the switch, that is, the rails between 'D and A, are shunted by `contact 3-3), 'and thel path vthrough rail la is also opened at contact thereby still further reducing the possibility of sufficient traffic controlling current reaching the rails in the rear of the switch A to `p'ive a 4proceed indication. rlhe control o-f transformer T is the same vas in Final and the operation of the apparatus will be understood without further dliscussion.

One feature of'my invention is that if a switch is reversed in advance of a train, the traina'eceives a stop indication, but if a switch is reversed in rear of a train 'no changekis made in the indication transmittedv to the train. v v i Although 'I have herein shown and described only two forms `and,arrangements of apparatusembodying my invention, it is `understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope ofthe appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Y

Havingy thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. :tn combination, a stretch of Vrailway track, a track transformer' having` its secondary winding connected .across the rails of said stretch, a switch in said stretch, and means for controlling the supply of energy 4to the primary of vsaid transformer in acA cordance with the position of said 'switch.

lfln combination, a stretch ofnrailway track havingV a switch therein. andmeans for supplying the rails of said stretch in series with trahie controlling current the magnitude of Mwhich varied according; as the normal or the reverse 3. In combination, a stretch of railway track having a switch therein, a track transformer having its secondary winding connected across the rails ofthe stretch forsnpplying traffic controlling current thereto, and means associated with said switch for at timesinserting an impedance in series with the primary` winding of said transformer whereby the value.' of said traiic controlling Vcurrent isrednced. i

4. In combination, av stretch of railway track having a switch thereina track transformer having a secondary winding lconnected with said stretch for supplying traffic controlling current' thereto, an impedance associated with the primary winding tosaid transformer, and means rcsponsiveto Athe position of said Yswitch for at times 4short .circuiting said impedance. i

5.. In combination, a` stretch of railway track having a switch therein, a track trans former having a secondary winding connected with said stretch for supplying traffic controlling lcurrentthereto, an impedance associated with the primarywinding `of said transformer, and means responsive to the i position of said switch for at times `short `circniting said impedance, and for at other times completing a path of low resistance between the rails of said stretch.

6.In combination, a stretch `of railway track having a switch intermediate the ends thereof, means for applying an alternating difference of potential across the rails adjacent one end of said stretch, and means responsive to the position of said switch for at times decreasing the magnitude of said `electromotive force. j

7. In combination, a stretch of yrailway i track having a switch intermediate the ends thereof, means responsive to traffic conditions in advance of said stretch for `applying an alternating diii'erence ofpotential across therails adjacent one end of said stretch, and means responsive to the position ofsaid switch for at times decreasing the magni- .n

tude of said electromotive force. j

8. In combination, a stretch of railway track having a switch intermediate the ends thereof, means for applying an alternating` difference of potential vacross the rails adjacent one'end of said stretch, and means responsive to the position of said switch for at times simultaneouslydecreasing the magnitude of said electromotive force and com plot-ing a path of low resistance across the rails of the stretch adjacent said switch.

9. In combination, a stretch of railway tack having a switch intermediate the ends thereof, means for supplying traffic controlling current to the rails of the stretch in series, and means responsive to the position of said switch for at times discontinuing the supply of such current to a portion of the @cette te? @carcasas @la nagaan@ at saidcurrent in 4- stretch. 1 .y j j.

l0. In combination, a. `stretchof railway track having a switch intermediate the ends thereof, means for supplying traliic controln ling current to the rails of the stretch in series,and means responsive to the position of said fswitch for at `times discontinuingfthe supply. ofy such current between said switch vand one end of*v thekstretch andfor simul taneonsly decreasing the magnitude of such current between the switclrand the other end of the stretch. Y

`11. In combination, a stretch ofV railway track having a switch intermediate the ends thereof, an insulated joint in one rail ad jacent said switch, means responsive totraffic conditions for applying an alternating electromotive force across the rails adjacent one end of the stretch, and a circuit around said` joint including a circuit controller responsive to the position of',` the switch and means,responsivefto the position ofrsnch switch for varying the magnitude of said another portion of said velectromotive4 force.

l2.' In combination, `asti-etch of railway track having a switch intermediate the ends thereof, an insulated joint inone rail adjacent Isaid switch, means responsive to tratiic conditions for applying an alternating elecw troinotive force across the rails adjacent one end of the stretch, a circnit controller responsive tothe position of said switch, moans controlled by said circuit controller for at times short circuiting said insulated joint and for at other times completing a path of low resistance between the rails of thel stretch adjacent the switch, I f

`13. In combination, a section of railway track provided with a switch, means for connecting a source of traffic controlling voltage across the rails of said section, and means for varying themagnitude of said voltage according as the switch is in its normal or its reverse position. l c i Y y ist.' In combination, a section of railway track provided with a switch, means for connecting a sourceoftraiiic controlling voltage across the rails of said section, and means controlled by the position of said switchfor at times reducing the magnitude of the voltage .applied to the section and closing the .path of low resistance between the rails of the section adjacent Vthe switch. y

15. In combination, a section of railway track provided with a switch capableV of assuming two extreme positions, means for applying a train controlling voltage across the rails of the section, and meansV eiective when said switch is in one extreme posi` tion for reducing said voltage.

16. In combination, a section of railway track provided with a switch capable of assnming a normal and a reverse position, means ter applying-1a t1? @strolling velt 'across the rails of'the section ladjacent the switch.

18. In combination, a section'of railway track proif'ided'with a switch capable of assuming a normal and a reverse position, an

vinsulated joint in one rail of the stretch `adjacent the switch, mea-ns for closing a shunt around said joint when jthe switch is in the normal position but not when lthe switch is in the reverse position, ineans forv applying a/train controlling kvoltage across the rails ofthe section, land mcans' effective when the 'switch is in the reverse position to reduce the magnitude ofs'aid voltage and to close a path of low resistz'incebetweeiithe rails of the section adjacent the switch.

19. In combination, a section of 'railway track containing a switch, and means controlled by saidrswitcli for applying "a'c'r'o'ss the rails of said vsection .ait the eiitjend of the' section ai relatively yhigh traffic con',-

Vtrolling voltage when the switch is in normal positionand -a relatively low traffic 'coit trolling voltage when the 'switch is in the reverse position. Y 1 n' 20. In coinbinatioma sectionof railway track containing" a switch,i a source of trliiiic controlling current' connected across the rails adjacent the 'eXit end of s a'id section,

and means controlled by said Vswitch for de-v creasing the voltage applied across the `rails by said source whefitheswitch is inthe 'reif'erse position.

21. In combination, asection of railway track containingl a switch, 'a track circuit for said section including a source of .track circuit current, Vand means :for 'supplying the rails of said section in 'series with trafic y controlling current the 'magnitude *of which is varied in accordance with the 'position of the'switch. l y d Q2. In combination, a section 'of railway trackcoiitaining a switch, a track circuit forsaid section inclu'dng a source of track circuit current, and 'means for applying' across the rails of said section a traffic controlling voltage the value of which varies accordi-ng to the position of said switch.

In a railway traffic controlling` system 'for use with train carried governing means arranged to display a less restrictive or a more restrictive indication according as the 'track occupied by the train is or is not supplied with 'train governng current, the ycombination of a section of track, a switch lin said section, and means for applying across fthe rails ofy said section a tiain govern'ing voltage 'the value of vwhich -varies according as the switch is in its normal or its vreverse position.

24. In combination, a stretch of railway track c'livide'd'into a 'forward'and a rear section, a `lswitch in said rear `sect-ion, a track circuit foreach section, and means for con- 'trolling the track circuit for `the rear section by the 'tijack circuit for the forward section 'and `'by said switch.

In'combi'n'ation, va stretch o'f 'railway ytrack divided into a forward and a rear section, a switch in.said rear section, a track circuit lfor the lfor-ward section', and a Vtrack circuit for the rear section controlled jointly "by said `:for-'ward Atrack circuit and 'bysaid switch.

26. In combination, af stretch of ra'il\'vay track divided kinto a 'forward section and a means for supplying track circuit current 'to the rails o'f the forward 'section indepeiidently of said switch, and means controlled 'by said switchfor supplying track circuit current to the rails of the rear. section.

27'. In combination, 'a 'stretch of railway track divided into a forward and a rear fsection, Aa switch'in said rear section, means for supplying track circuit lcurrent tothe `rails of the forward section independently 'of said sivitclnand means controlled by trafl- 'fic conditions -in said forward section and cby the position of said switch for supplying track circuit current to the rails of said -r'ear section.

In testimony whereof I aflix mysignature.

RALPH P. TUTTLE.

v'rear section, aswitc'hin said rear section, 

